Post-doc position in high temperature electrochemical cells

Summary

The HERD Lab at the University of Wisconsin–Madison invites applications for a funded post-doctoral researcher position to study high temperature electrolysis cells and stacks for hydrogen and syngas production, and for electrochemical synthesis of high-value chemicals. The goal of the project is to experimentally characterize the electrochemical performance, investigate degradation phenomena, and mathematically simulate the operation of high temperature electrolysis cells to produce decarbonized molecules valuable for the heavy industry sector (steel, cement, chemicals and plastics industry). Single cells and stacks will be fabricated, assembled, and tested in our HERD Lab test cells and operated in atmospheric and pressurized conditions. Custom electrochemical and system models will be developed to support the experimental design and data analysis. The work will be carried out in close collaboration with national and international academic and industrial partners, part of a research consortium involved in the project. More specifically, the work will focus on:

• Fabricating solid oxide cells and assemble them into short-stacks
• Scaling-up cell structures to achieve larger area cells and stack operation
• Testing and characterizing the electrochemical performance and durability of cells and stacks in the laboratory
• Developing models to reproduce the electrochemical performance of electrolysis cells and exploring the main degradation mechanisms
• Discovering novel thermodynamic and electrochemical cycles for efficient and cost-effective hydrogen/syngas production

The post-doctoral researcher will help build an interdisciplinary and dynamic team of researchers focusing on electrochemical energy conversion systems, hydrogen, electro-fuels, and industrial decarbonization. The candidate will supervise and mentor graduate students and help the PI manage the laboratory. The post-doctoral candidate will have the possibility of interacting with national and international research groups, national labs and private companies. While pursuing their independent research projects, the candidate will be expected to spearhead new research directions and collaborate with the PI to write new grant proposals. The candidate will also be expected to communicate research findings via peer-reviewed journal publications, presentations at national and international conferences, social media, and traditional news channels to increase the impact of their research.

Research Motivation

Both conventional solid oxide electrolysis (650-900°C) with oxygen anion (O2-) conducting dense ceramic membranes, e.g., yttria stabilized zirconia (YrZrO – YSZ), scandia stabilized zirconia (ScZrO – ScSZ), and newer proton conducting electrolysis cells (300-600°C) with proton conducting ceramic membranes (H+) are of interest for this project. Due to the endothermic nature of the electrolysis reactions, the thermal management of the cell and stacks is an important aspect to optimize their performance, understand their degradation mechanisms to extend lifetime, to ultimately reduce cost. The thermal balance between the endothermic reactions and the inevitable exothermic ohmic losses determines operational regimes that can be overall endothermic or exothermic in nature, depending on the value of current density. The ability to operate in endothermic conditions, allows these cells/stacks to be efficiently coupled to industrial processes characterized by waste heat rejection; relevant examples are steel furnaces, cement kilns, glass manufacturing, and chemical synthesis plants. When operated in endothermic conditions (i.e., below the thermoneutral voltage), we have demonstrated hydrogen production efficiencies <35 kWh/kg, compared to approximately 55 kWh/kg, typical of low temperature electrolysis technologies. The use of proton conducting ceramic devices is especially of interest for chemical synthesis applications, where hydrogenation and de-hydrogenation reactions can take place electrochemically. These mechanisms will be explored for the production of decarbonized molecules valuable for the plastic, fertilizer, and chemicals industries.

Qualifications

Required qualifications:

• A degree in Chemical Engineering, Material Science, Mechanical Engineering, Energy Engineering
• Experience with electrochemistry, ceramic cells manufacturing and testing
• Passionate about scientific research, sustainability, and energy
• Willing and excited to work in teams
• Comfortable public speaker to disseminate their research and communicate progress to their peers
• Excellent writer of scientific reports and peer-reviewed journal publications
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills
• Adept at learning new technology and/or software
• Ability to creatively solve problems and work independently and proactively

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience in characterization of degradation mechanisms in solid oxide cells electrodes
• Experience with imaging characterization methods (XRD, SEM-EDS, XRF, XPS, Raman AFM, etc.)
• Have laboratory experience, or be comfortable in designing experimental methodologies, collecting, and analyzing data
• Have experience with developing numerical simulation codes using diverse programming languages (e.g., COMSOL, Python, Matlab, R, C++, Fortran)

Stipend

The selected applicant will be appointed as a Post-Doctoral Researcher with a stipend in the range $52,000-$56,000 per year plus benefits.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit an application to Dr. Luca Mastropasqua at luca.mastropasqua@wisc.edu with the following information: 1) a CV, 2) a one-page personal statement describing your scientific interests and career objectives, 3) unofficial transcripts, and 4) contact information of three references. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. We expect the start date to be September 1st, 2024. Before submitting an application, please learn more about the Office of Postdoctoral Studies.

University and Community

The University of Wisconsin–Madison (Founded: 1848) is a public land-grant university and major research institution. Our students, staff, and faculty engage in a world-class education while solving real-world problems. With public service — or as we call it, the Wisconsin Idea — as our guiding principle, we are creating a better future for everyone. UW–Madison has been ranked 38th overall and 10th among public institutions (both in three-way ties) in U.S. News & World Report’s 2022-23 rankings of best colleges. Total student enrollment is 48,000 of which approximately 14,000 are graduate and professional students, and there are over 24,232 between faculty and staff. UW–Madison has a strong culture of collaboration across fields, and the selected graduate student will interact with researchers from diverse fields, including chemical engineering, material science, and environmental engineering. UW–Madison is an exciting place to learn and conduct research! The city of Madison ranks as one of the most attractive places in the U.S. to live and work. For information about the campus and city, please see link. UW–Madison is an Equal Employment, Equal Access Employer committed to increasing the diversity of our workforce. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW–Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals. The University of Wisconsin–Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background-people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world. For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: diversity.wisc.edu If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request at the following website:https://employeedisabilities.wisc.edu/disability-accommodation-information-for-applicants/

COVID-19 considerations

UW–Madison continues to follow necessary health and safety protocols to protect our campus from COVID-19. All employees remain subject to the COVID-19 Workplace Safety Policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-5086. Please visit https://covidresponse.wisc.edu/ for the most up-to-date information.